South Africa’s Minister of International Relations is expected to visit Ghana this week as diplomatic efforts intensify to resolve the standoff between Ghana’s Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations and MultiChoice Ghana, operators of DStv.
The visit follows a stern ultimatum issued by Ghana’s Communications Minister, Samuel Nartey George, who warned that DStv’s operating licence would be suspended by Wednesday, August 7, if the broadcaster fails to reduce subscription prices in line with regulatory expectations.
The development was confirmed by Charles Owiredu, Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Information and Communications Committee, who explained that the visit is aimed at de-escalating tensions that have been mounting in recent weeks following widespread public calls for a reduction in DStv subscription fees.
“The South African Minister is set to touch down in Ghana to engage our Foreign Minister on this particular matter. We need to use diplomatic standards to solve this, not threats and confrontations. It doesn’t help anybody,” Mr. Owiredu stated.
The move signals a significant step towards addressing what has become a high-profile dispute between a sovereign ministry and a foreign-owned media company.